A Poet's Welcome To His Love Begotten Daughter: Overview

A Poet’s Welcome To His Love Begotten Daughter: Overview

“A Poet’s Welcome To His Love Begotten Daughter”: Overview

Context and Background:

  • “A Poet’s Welcome To His Love Begotten Daughter” was written by Robert Burns in the late 18th century, forming part of his collection of narrative poems.
  • It represents a significant moment in Burns’ personal life - the birth of his illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth (‘Dear Bought Bess’) with his lover, Ann Park.
  • The poem consists of Burns’ emotional message to his newborn child, expressing his feelings and hopes for her future life.

Themes and Motifs:

  • Birth and Parenthood: This forms the central theme, with Burns expressing joy and pride in fatherhood.
  • Nature and Innocence: Burns often relies on natural imagery to evoke the inherent innocence of a newborn child.
  • Social norms and hypocrisies: There is a sharp criticism of society’s judgement towards his daughter’s illegitimacy.
  • Hope and Aspiration: Despite societal concerns, Burns expresses optimism and imparts his wishes for his daughter’s future.

Characterisation and Perspective:

  • Burns, as the poet and the father, provides a first-person perspective, enabling a direct dialogic interaction with his daughter.
  • Through paternal affection and societal commentary, Burns’ character is outlined as loving, defiant and hopeful.
  • Elizabeth, as an infant, is a symbol of purity and potential, and her characterization remains mostly implicit through the observations and hopes projected onto her by Burns.

Imagery and Metaphors:

  • Natural imagery is prevalent, reinforcing the purity and innocence of ‘Dear Bought Bess’.
  • Burns uses metaphors extensively, such as ‘winsome marrow’, symbolising the freshness and vitality of his daughter, and comparing her to nature’s produce.

Language and Tone:

  • The poem adopts a conversational and direct tone, emphasising the intimate expression of personal emotion.
  • Burns employs the use of Scots dialect, adding to the authenticity and emotional intensity of the poem.
  • The language is rich in lyrical quality, resonating with Burns’ musical proclivity, and adding to the emotive strength of the poem.